Photo Journal: Fans of the force

Star Wars fans dressed as characters from the franchise gather for a special showing of the newest installment in the series, "The Last Jedi," at Toho Cinemas Umeda in Osaka's Kita Ward on Dec. 14, 2017. The theater was one of 32 across Japan to have a special showing before the nationwide release on Dec. 15. The new movie picks up where "The Force Awakens" left fans hanging two years ago, and also marks 40 years since the first feature, "A New Hope," was released in 1977. (Mainichi)